Copyright 2008-2012 The Zaftig Redhead. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

It's 2010. These days, girls and women can be whatever they want, do whatever they want -- the world is our oyster. Right? Equal opportunity is ours, doors have been flung open, and career and family choices are no longer constrained by gender-based stereotypes.

If you believe that, I have a bridge in a certain NYC borough with your name on it.

According to the Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor, the 16 most prevalent occupations for employed women in 2009 were as follows:

Do these occupations look barrier breaking to you? Lots of them likely don't pay living wages and are unlikely to have health insurance, paid sick days, vacation, and retirement plans. They also are distressingly, well, typical. That is not to say its not respectable work. What I mean is that women are still very much constrained to career paths that are extensions of their traditional roles in the home. But we know when women get good career counseling that covers the range of options -- including typical pay and benefits -- they often make different choices. These pink collar jobs are often a low-paying self-fulfilling prophecy. The majority of women might now be in the workplace, we still have a ways to go for true equal opportunity. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

JUICY SUBSCRIPTIONS

IT'S TIME FOR A SQUEEZE PLAY!

The Zaftig Redhead -- political, opinionated, and redheaded -- a dangerous combination tailor made to speak truth to power. The problem with politics today is that it's become more about complex plans and partisan bickering than about the basics of kitchen table economics and overcoming the hurdles of everyday life. You don't have to learn the ins and outs of politics to participate in a meaningful way; instead it's time politicians learned about us -- We, the People. I've listed some of my favorite sources to give you even more of the juicy scoop, hoping that you'll put the squeeze on your elected officials and teach them a thing or two in the process. Just remember, you don't have to be an expert to have an opinion and speak your mind.